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Dec 06, 2025
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2025-2026 Graduate Catalog
Nursing Education (DNP to PhD), Ph.D. (43 hrs)
Location(s):
Hybrid
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 Return to: Programs of Study
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Program Overview
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Nursing Education program is a terminal degree designed to prepare nurse scholars as researchers and educators. Graduates are prepared to conduct research, steward the profession of nursing, and assume leadership roles in institutions of higher learning and healthcare systems. The PhD in Nursing Education program (DNP to PhD) is designed to be completed in two years, including summer terms. Students are allowed to attend on a part-time basis, but the student must complete all required work within a period of six years. The total number of hours required is 60 hours. Students receive 17 hours of Ph.D. course validation credit with 43 hours to be completed within the program. The student will take courses with a nursing education focus and dissertation classes to complete the Ph.D. in Nursing Education program. The program is in a hybrid (web-enhanced) format. Doctoral classes will meet face-to-face two weekends a year and synchronous online at various times throughout the year; the rest of the content and student activities will be conducted via Canvas learning management system. Each student must complete a dissertation. The dissertation process will begin in the fall term and include five semesters. The research courses will be developed to help the student design the essential components of a dissertation. Each student will have a committee of four Ph.D. program faculty members. There will be a written comprehensive examination to determine mastery of the Ph.D. content. Students will enroll for didactic courses along with the dissertation courses. One (1) theory credit hour equates to 1 contact hour for sixteen-week courses and 2 contact hours for 8-week courses. One (1) clinical credit hour equates to 40 contact hours. The faculty reserves the right to make curricular changes to maintain standards consistent with the changing needs of society and of the profession. Program Admission Requirements
To be admitted as a regular student, the applicant must: - Submit a completed application to the William Carey University graduate program
- Submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
- Submit a scholarly narrative of 1-2 pages of personal philosophy of nursing education and goals.
- Submit a current curriculum vita.
- Submit three recommendations: two from individuals who can attest to research and scholarship ability and one personal reference (a reference form will be emailed to the references entered in the online application).
- Submit the completed and notarized criminal background check affidavit.
- Have earned an D.N.P. from an accredited school of nursing.
- Have earned a GPA > 3.0 on D.N.P. courses.
- Have an active, unencumbered Registered Nurse license with no pending legal or state board action (unencumbered license must be maintained throughout program enrollment).
- Be eligible to re-enter any previously attended college or university in good standing. If previously enrolled in a Ph.D. program, the applicant must be in good standing with that program and must provide a letter of good standing from that program.
- Demonstrate computer literacy involving proficiency in word processing, email correspondence, and the Internet.
Transfer Credit Policy Transfer credit is available for any student. A maximum of 6 hours may be transferred from another accredited university. Approval of transfer hours is considered on an individual basis. The student must apply for transfer credit to the program coordinator prior to the first term in the nursing program. Master’s level credit cannot be accepted for doctoral level courses. Transfer credit cannot be received forNUR 7070 , NUR 8060 , NUR 8070 , NUR 8080 , NUR 8090 , and NUR 8100 . Refer to the university’s graduate transfer requirements for more information. Program Progression Requirements
Successful progression through the program requires the following: - Demonstrate competency in scholarly writing through one of the following options: (1) successful review of the writing submission, (2) submission of a GRE Writing Score of > 4.0 or better within the last five years, or (3) passing the NUR 7990 Academic Writing for Doctoral Students with a grade of ‘B’ or better prior to taking courses in the program.
- Demonstrate basic competence in statistics as evidenced by successful completion, with a grade of ‘B’ or better, in an undergraduate or graduate level statistics course within the past ten years or substantial experience in nursing research projects prior to taking NUR 7070 and NUR 8000 .
- Complete all assignments with a passing grade. All courses must be completed with no grade below a ‘B’.
- See Academic Regulations in this catalog for additional information regarding minimum course grades and GPA requirements.
- Any student who makes an ‘F’ in a Ph.D. course will be dismissed from the program and be ineligible to readmit.
- Student grades will be reviewed at the end of each term by the administrator of the graduate program and other WCU SON administration to determine status in achieving the GPA necessary to progress and graduate.
- The student must successfully complete NUR 7070 , NUR 8060 , NUR 8070 , NUR 8080 and NUR 8090 in sequence.
- The student will be admitted to doctoral candidacy upon successful completion of comprehensive examination and the dissertation final defense.
- The student must successfully complete a dissertation.
Program of Study (43 hrs)
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